But a tough foe stands in Winton's way if he is to make it any further in the competition.



Winton convincingly made it through his last 16 clash yesterday with a 13-7 win over Scotland's Conor McCallum, at the Bulgaria-based tournament.

The Hartlepool Catholic Club star now faces Russia's Yacheslav Kazachek in the final eight tomorrow – a fighter widely regarded as one of the tournament favourites.

Catholic Club head coach Paul Allen said: "The guy who he meets is really strong and there is no getting away from that.

"He does not take a backwards step and he goes from the first bell to the last.

"But Callum has been told by the England coaches that they are really happy with him and they might have something special on their hands."

McCallum started the stronger of the two fighters and was 4-1 up at one stage during the first round.

But Winton soon got into his stride and went to work on the head and body – putting McCallum firmly on the back foot.

The 16-year-old connected with some swift combinations and was 6-5 up at the end of the first round.

Winton threw some cracking uppercuts in the second before switching to the body, but McCallum was still not out of it going into the final round 8-5 down.

The Hartlepool fighter upped his game again in the third though and continued to work the body, which ultimately proved the difference.

Allen said: "Callum had a variety of shots against a strong kid who is used to coming forward.

"He did not look under any pressure by the end of the final bell and he took the decision."